Edgar Manvelyan wasn’t quite sure what to expect. He was replacing longtime coach Sal Lopez, who had led the La Salle High School girls soccer team to a nice run to the CIF-Southern Section playoff quarterfinals.

What Manvelyan found is a team he said wants to achieve greater goals.

“Coming in, I knew nothing about them,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how far we can go. Now, I think we can surpass what we did last year.

“When I started working with the girls and we played some games, I liked what I saw. I knew we could do some damage this season.”

The Lancers did not win the Del Rey League title last season. They finished tied for second.

La Salle is undefeated in league play heading into today’s game against Mary Star of the Sea. The Lancers are 2-0 in league play and 10-2-5 overall after Tuesday’s 3-1 overtime victory at Bishop Amat. La Salle scored the game’s final three goals.

The 10 victories matched last season’s total for wins.

“We’re playing very, very well,” Manvelyan said. “We had some injuries, but the girls have stepped up.

“We’re scoring a lot of goals and we’re playing good defense.”

Manvelyan cited his four defenders for their stellar play. Left back Samantha Whitehead has played well of late, along with midfielder Taylor Mediano, who was moved to forward in the win against Bishop Amat. Both are sophomores. Senior Samantha Cuerington also is playing well.

TIME WILL TELL

It’s break time in the Prep League for finals and the end of the semester. That can be good or bad, depending on a team’s situation.

Westridge is coming off a big 1-0 victory over Flintridge Prep. So, it’s an inopportune time, right?

“I think it’s great for us,” coach Jason Windass said. “I think it helps us because we’re battered and bruised. We can rest and recoup for a week and a half.”

That victory last week moved the Tigers into second place in league. They are the only team to have put a dent in Chadwick, which leads the league with a 4-0-1 record. Westridge is 3-1-1 in league.

“We’re sitting pretty,” Windass said. “Goalkeeper Allison Martinez-Davis had key saves in 1-nil wins over Mayfield and Flintridge Prep to get us those points.”

Windass also said the Tigers’ defense has been exceptional. That includes the play of left back Paige O’Connor, midfielder Katie McDonald and Grace Birkenbeuel.

The Tigers do not play again until Tuesday when they meet Webb. They also play Alverno in a nonleague game next week.

BACK IN ACTION

After its week off, Flintridge Sacred Heart is back on the playing field tonight.

The Tologs play Louisville at 5:15p.m. at St. Francis. They have won seven consecutive games. In those games, they have outscored their opponents 12-0.